FROM tracking stolen vehicles to emergency airlifts - Lancashire's police helicopter has been buzzing around the skies since coming on duty in 1994 and has taken part in 1,000 arrests.

Crewed by a pilot with two police observers and operating from the unit base at BAe, Warton, the Air Support Unit has made 6,070 flights and undertaken 10,000 tasks in the last four-and-a-half years.

The 170mph Twin Squirrel helicopter's response time is crucial to its effectiveness, and is able to reach anywhere in Lancashire in fifteen minutes.

Said Insp. Steve Fitzgerald, head of the 12 strong unit: "The operational officers we support recognise the important part the unit plays in many aspects of policing. The arrests have come about after good team work between the crew and ground patrols."

The helicopter's been especially effective against car thieves, who account for 442 of the arrests.

Insp. Fitzgerald added: "The helicopter makes action against car thieves safer for the police officers and the public, as well as guaranteeing the arrest of the offenders."

Its broadcast quality camera and thermal imaging equipment have also assisted ground patrols to arrest over 200 burglars who would have escaped arrest and gone on to commit further offences. Eighty one firearm offenders have also been arrested along with 35 suspects for armed robberies.

The crew's also been increasingly involved in searches for missing persons, not only by searching areas, but also by using the 'Skyshout' public address system to alert members of the public.

A number of missing young people, in several cases children, have been found quickly, and in the past two years, the crew's directly traced 57 missing persons by searching or with public assistance.

Insp. Fitzgerald commented: "This not only puts relatives' minds at ease but saves considerably on police time, time that can be devoted to other duties."

With the helicopter's ability to carry casualties with life threatening injuries, it has help the ambulance service in airlifting 77 casualties to hospital. While sadly not all of them survived, many owe their life to the speed of transportation to hospital primary care where they ultimately recovered. While primarily supporting operational officers throughout the county, the unit also maintains partnerships with the Ambulance service, Fire and Rescue service, Mountain Rescue teams and Coastguard with the aim of protecting life.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.